Recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state

Recognition of Palestine as a Sovereign State

The State of Palestine was proclaimed by the Palestine Liberation Organization on 15 November 1988. The State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by a majority of United Nations member states. As of September 2025, 157 of the 193 United Nations member states recognize the State of Palestine, representing just over 80% of all UN members. Palestine has held non-member observer state status at the United Nations General Assembly since November 2012 and does not hold full UN membership.

On 21 September 2025, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal announced formal recognition of the State of Palestine, marking a shift in diplomatic policy from some traditional Western allies. Additional countries also declared plans to recognize Palestine later in 2025.

The United States government has stated that recognition of a Palestinian state should result from direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine. U.S. officials warned that countries recognizing Palestine unilaterally could “create big problems.” The United States has also applied measures such as visa restrictions and targeted sanctions against Palestinian entities as part of its foreign policy and national security interests.

International responses to the recognitions varied. Some countries welcomed the recognitions as supporting diplomatic engagement and a two-state solution. Other governments, including Israel, reiterated that a Palestinian state must result from negotiated agreements.